A month ago I posted on the blue fields of flax in Brabant Wallon. This weekend I walked around another area in this Wallonian province, starting in the tiny village of Lathuy, just outside Jodoigne. As I had previously mentioned, the flowering season of flax is very short – a matter of a day or two – so there were no fields of blue. Instead the flax had turned to a gorgeous rich gold.
                     
Some farmers had moved to the next step: harvesting, after which the flax stalks are laid in the sun to dry:
I started my walk in the centre of Lathuy at the junction of Rue du Village and Rue du Baty, where there is a map of the walk.
Start walking up Rue du Baty to the left of this signboard
The walk is called the Route de Beaulieu and is well marked with red diamonds and occasional signposts.
You can also download or follow my map of the route.
The first thing you will probably notice is the light-coloured stone that many of the houses are constructed with.
It is called Gobertange Steen, from the village nearby where it was originally quarried in the 18th century. Many of the houses use an attractive combination of the Gobertange Steen and brickwork.
This is also seen in the Chapel of Saint Genevieve.
The chapel dates from 1769
This slightly undulating and circular walk takes you through deserted, peaceful fields.
You will pass by some huge ancient farms.
The 18th century Nouvelle Cricourt farm
The barn of the Gailbiez Farm is even older, dating back to 1620
The Pastur Farm is more modern; built in the 19th century
Another imposing building is this one (the one on the left!)
Looking slightly like a church – at least the steeple on top of it does – it is in fact a water tower.
This scenic and peaceful walk is highly recommended, and on a lovely summer’s day the cloud formations were just as attractive as the scenery beneath them.
Categories: Brabant Wallon, Hiking in Belgium
I read both your “flax” walks – very pretty and very informative.
Thanks Anabel!
you have beautiful pictures of Belgium. My Mathieu family comes from Belgium.
I do not know how to find them. All I know is that they came on the border of
France and Belgium. Also my granfather jules mathieu was in coal mining.
Thanks Marie for your comment. I also would not know how to find your ancestors! It would be helpful to know of the town or village that Jules Mathieu came from, as the Belgium/France border is very long, and coal-mining took place in a number of areas.
Thanks for a quick reply. Unfortunately I have no idea what town or village they came from.
I’ve noticed that there is Rue Mathieu in a few towns. Should i just get a hold of Begium Archives
for more imfo.
I don’t hold much hope Marie. I think your best bet is to try and find a local connection and then connect the municipality.
You can check the site http://www.familienaam.be to find the distrubution of your last name over Belgium. Unfortunately for you, Mathieu is a quite popular name, referring to the evangelist Matthew. That’s probably also why there’s a lot of “Rue Mathieu”.
Thanks for your suggestion Bjorn.
Sorry for hijacking your post, Denzil.
You can overlay this with the map of coal mines (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mines_de_charbon_de_Belgique). If you limit them to the ones near the French border, then I would say that your grandfather comes from the area west or southwest of Mons.
Thank you for your info. every little bit helps.
Denzil, your second photo is gorgeous. Pure genius from that angle. I love it!
Gee thanks Carol, that’s so nice of you to say so!
Beautiful photography!
Thanks for your lovely compliment!